Your UK debt sorter
Don't pay a credit card if you can't pay council tax. Don't pay a catalogue if you're behind on rent. The order matters.
Sort your debts. Find the money. Breathe.
Last verified 5 Jun 2026 · Source StepChange + Citizens Advice + Breathing Space Regs 2020In Britain, some debts can take your home, cut your power, or send bailiffs. Others can't. Tick the debts you have below — Sorted ranks them in the legal UK order. Then tick the money sources that apply to you — we calculate live how much you could find before sending a penny to anyone. Free always. No login. No fees.
Sourced to StepChange + Citizens Advice
FCA-regulated routes only
Live calculator with real UK 2025/26 figures
If a bailiff is at your door, you're being evicted, or your energy is about to be cut off — call StepChange now.
Free. FCA-authorised. Average call wait under 5 minutes. They will help you tonight.
Tick what you owe. Sorted ranks them.
UK debts are not equal — some have powers that go beyond your bank balance. Tick every debt you currently have, in either column. Sorted instantly ranks them in the order to pay using the StepChange + Citizens Advice protocol.
Before paying anyone — find money first.
UK adults quietly miss £24 billion in benefits and reductions every year (Policy in Practice 2025). Tick the ones below that may apply to you — Sorted calculates live how much you could be eligible for. Every figure is current 2025/26 and sourced.
Money you could find this month
Tick everything that might apply — even if you're not 100% sure. Sorted shows the maximum potential and routes you to the specific tool to check each one.
Live total — potential money you may be able to claim
£0/yr
Tick anything below that may apply — the total updates live.
Emergency cash — in 7 days or less.
If you can't wait weeks for a benefits application to process, these UK routes pay out fast — often within days. All free, all regulated, all available before you've eaten through your last £20.
Eight ways to get money this week
Use as many of these as apply. They don't conflict with each other. None requires you to take on new debt.
Universal Credit Advance Payment
If your UC first payment is weeks away, get an interest-free Advance Payment (up to 100%) within 3 working days. Repaid from later UC over 24 months.
3 working days · gov.uk/universal-credit/get-an-advance-first-paymentHousehold Support Fund (your council)
Council-administered emergency cash, supermarket vouchers, energy vouchers. Every English council has one until 31 March 2026.
3-14 days · apply via your council websiteDiscretionary Housing Payment
Top-up from your council if your rent exceeds Housing Benefit or UC Housing Element. Critical if eviction risk.
1-2 weeks · apply via councilFood bank referral (Trussell + IFAN)
3-day emergency food parcel. Referral via Citizens Advice, GP, school or council. Call Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848 for referral.
Same day · trusselltrust.org / foodaidnetwork.org.ukEnergy hardship fund (your supplier)
British Gas Energy Trust (open to anyone) £1,500 grant. Octopus Octo Assist. EDF Customer Support Fund.
3-6 weeks · apply via supplier or BGET.Section 75 / chargeback claim
If you've recently paid £100+ on credit card for goods/service that failed, your card provider has joint liability under Consumer Credit Act 1974.
8 weeks max · call card providerBudgeting Advance / Budgeting Loan
Interest-free loan from DWP if you've been on benefits 6+ months. £100-£812 typical for essential costs.
3-10 days · apply via UC journal or gov.ukLocal Welfare Assistance
Many councils (separate from Household Support Fund) have crisis grants for essentials. Free.
Variable · ask council for "Local Welfare Assistance" or "Crisis Grant"Five steps. This week.
The exact UK debt-handling order used by every regulated debt charity. Don't try to pay everything at once.
The UK debt-handling order
1
Apply for Breathing Space (60-day legal pause)
All debts legally frozen for 60 days — no interest, no contact, no enforcement. Free via StepChange, Citizens Advice or PayPlan.
Debt Respite Scheme Regulations 2020 · statutory right2
Pay essential living costs first
Food, energy meter top-up, prescription costs, school transport. Creditors cannot push your essential expenditure below the Standard Financial Statement allowance.
SFS · Money Advice Trust framework3
Pay priority debts in the order above
Mortgage/rent → Council Tax → Energy → Court fines + HMRC + child maintenance → Water. Don't touch non-priority until priority is sorted.
Citizens Advice + StepChange Priority Debt Order4
Find more money (the section above)
Before any non-priority payment, run through the money-finder. UK avg unclaimed: £1,800/yr per eligible household.
Policy in Practice 2025 · £24bn unclaimed5
Pro-rata negotiate non-priority debts
Once priority + money sorted, divide what's left between non-priority debts proportionally. Most accept £1/month if you're on benefits. Use free DMP via StepChange.
FCA CONC 8 · debt management rulesPhone the free helplines — not paid firms.
These are FCA-authorised, not-for-profit, with no fees. They are the only UK debt advice routes that should ever be your first phone call. Never pay a fee for debt advice.
StepChange Debt Charity
0800 138 1111Largest UK debt charity. Free DMP setup, free Breathing Space, online tool 24/7. Helped 650,000+ in 2024.
Citizens Advice
0800 144 88482,000+ UK offices. Debt, benefits, employment, housing. Welsh helpline 0800 702 2020. Scotland 0800 028 1456.
National Debtline
0808 808 4000Free debt advice via Money Advice Trust. Webchat + factsheets. Self-help materials are excellent.
MoneyHelper (HM Government)
0800 138 7777Government-backed advice. Debt + pensions + general money. Webchat + WhatsApp 07701 342 744.
PayPlan
0800 280 2816Free DMP + IVA setup. FCA-authorised. Online debt assessment available 24/7.
Samaritans (debt is allowed to weigh on you)
116 12324/7 confidential. Anyone can call. Debt feelings can be overwhelming. You don't need to be in crisis.
Watch out for paid debt management companies. Many UK companies charge 17-50% of your monthly payment as a fee. They offer the same DMP that StepChange or PayPlan will set up free. Never pay upfront fees. If a company contacts you out of the blue offering "debt help" or "consolidation", it is almost always a paid service.
Four UK statutory fresh-start routes.
When the maths doesn't work, the UK has four statutory routes. Don't decide alone — always discuss with a free charity above first.
1. Debt Management Plan (DMP) — informal, voluntary
Affordable monthly payments via StepChange, PayPlan or Citizens Advice. Free. Not binding — creditors can refuse, but most accept. Best for repayable debt over time.
Credit impact: defaults 6 yrs on file.
2. Debt Relief Order (DRO) — for low debt + low assets
Statutory write-off after 12 months. From 28 June 2024: debts under £50,000, assets under £2,000 (excl car under £4,000), surplus income under £75/month. Fee abolished from 6 April 2024 — now £0. Only via Approved Intermediary.
Credit impact: on file 6 yrs. Cannot get credit over £500 without disclosure during 12 months.
3. Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) — 5-6 yrs binding
Formal agreement via Insolvency Practitioner. Pay affordable amount 5-6 yrs; rest written off. Binding once 75% by value vote yes. Watch: IP fees can be £5,000+ taken from your payment. Best if you have home equity to protect.
Credit impact: 6 yrs on file. Public register on Gazette.
4. Bankruptcy — last resort, £680 fee
Statutory write-off after 12 months. Apply online via gov.uk. Trustee can sell assets including home equity. Cannot hold company director role during.
Credit impact: 6 yrs on file. Public Gazette.
Scotland differences: Sequestration replaces bankruptcy. Minimal Asset Process (MAP) replaces DRO for debts under £25,000, no assets over £1,000, £50 fee. Citizens Advice Scotland or StepChange Scotland for specifics.
Source verification
StatuteInsolvency Act 1986 · Insolvency Rules 2016
DRO fee abolished6 April 2024 (UK Gov + Insolvency Service)
DRO debt cap raised28 June 2024 (£30k → £50k)
Last verified2 June 2026
The honest note
SortedUK is not an FCA-authorised debt management firm. We cannot manage your debts, take payments or set up a DMP. We point you to FCA-regulated charities that do this for free.
The figures in the money-finder are typical UK 2025/26 averages or max awards. Your actual eligibility depends on assessment (DWP, HMRC, your council, your water company). Run the relevant tool for a personalised check.
If you spot an error, email corrections@sorteduk.uk. Every fix is published at /corrections with date and source.
Today: one phone call.
The hardest step is the first one. StepChange is open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat — or use their online tool 24/7. They've helped millions of people in exactly your situation. Free. Confidential. No judgement.